tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-370181012015-08-02T11:23:57.627-05:00crazy mom quiltsamandajeanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06311818385469850186noreply@blogger.comBlogger1378125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37018101.post-80600880680628610722015-07-31T10:38:00.000-05:002015-07-31T10:38:41.556-05:00doe quilt completeWelcome to finish it up Friday! <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-IK7g0Juc8NQ/VbuMdJ_hCjI/AAAAAAAAQds/WRPX2ib6p18/s1600/doe%2Bquilt%2Bhanging.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-IK7g0Juc8NQ/VbuMdJ_hCjI/AAAAAAAAQds/WRPX2ib6p18/s1600/doe%2Bquilt%2Bhanging.jpg" /></a></div>I'm excited to have another quilt finish to share today! <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LCmhF4Md65I/VbuMYHot-rI/AAAAAAAAQdY/qacS9Jt0GTU/s1600/doe%2Bquilt%2Bfull%2B2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LCmhF4Md65I/VbuMYHot-rI/AAAAAAAAQdY/qacS9Jt0GTU/s1600/doe%2Bquilt%2Bfull%2B2.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="http://crazymomquilts.blogspot.com/2014/11/doe-quilt-top.html">This quilt started out</a> as a <a href="http://crazymomquilts.blogspot.com/2014/02/contact-print-pillow-tutorial.html">contact print pillow cover</a>, but as I was making it, I decided to add large </div>borders and make it a wall/baby quilt size instead. I'm so glad I made that decision! This is a bit of a departure from my usual work, but I love it for that reason. It's good to stretch yourself once in awhile!<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">For the fabric, I used a mini charm pack of <a href="http://www.robertkaufman.com/fabrics/doe/">doe</a>, plus Kona cotton in white and iron, all by <a href="http://www.robertkaufman.com/">Robert Kaufman</a>.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Mk8fvn_Jigw/VbuMf-97y-I/AAAAAAAAQd0/iRY5XUNiKe8/s1600/doe%2Bquilt%2Bdetail%2B2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Mk8fvn_Jigw/VbuMf-97y-I/AAAAAAAAQd0/iRY5XUNiKe8/s1600/doe%2Bquilt%2Bdetail%2B2.jpg" /></a></div>I quilted it a la <a href="http://carolynfriedlander.com/">Carolyn Friedlander</a> with&nbsp;lots of dense&nbsp;stitching. Some of it was done&nbsp;with my free motion foot, some was done&nbsp;with my regular foot. I&nbsp;didn't&nbsp;use&nbsp;my walking foot at all! It was fun to make up the quilting as I&nbsp;went, but&nbsp;I did use a <a href="http://www.nancysnotions.com/product/clover+hera+marker.do">hera marker</a> to mark most of the lines. It was a nice safety net.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ehKAkDSkoR8/VbuMZlUc0-I/AAAAAAAAQdc/lktAOZR2LQs/s1600/doe%2Bquilt%2Bback%2Band%2Bbinding.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ehKAkDSkoR8/VbuMZlUc0-I/AAAAAAAAQdc/lktAOZR2LQs/s1600/doe%2Bquilt%2Bback%2Band%2Bbinding.jpg" /></a></div>For the backing I used a solid goldenrod fabric. (I'm not sure of the company or color...it came from <a href="http://srharrisfabric.com/">SR Harris</a>.)&nbsp;I like--and don't like--that&nbsp;it shows ALL of the quilting. No room for error! But, it is a nice contrast to the front.&nbsp;I used <a href="http://www.aurifil.com/">Aurifil thread</a> in my favorite color, 2600. I think it goes with <em>everything</em>! <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-64fBrEQ4RA8/VbuMgV-vBpI/AAAAAAAAQd8/WRaSH-yLClE/s1600/doe%2Bquilt%2Bbinding%2Bdetail.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-64fBrEQ4RA8/VbuMgV-vBpI/AAAAAAAAQd8/WRaSH-yLClE/s1600/doe%2Bquilt%2Bbinding%2Bdetail.jpg" /></a></div>For the binding I used an old Katie Jump Rope&nbsp;fabric that I scored around&nbsp;this time last year. I may save all of&nbsp;the two yards&nbsp;of it that I bought&nbsp;for binding...I&nbsp;LOVE how it looks on the edge of a quilt! <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xpO-UxGR6Q8/VbuMb9bie_I/AAAAAAAAQdk/eOx85Vjb6eE/s1600/doe%2Bquilt%2Bpartially%2Bfolded.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xpO-UxGR6Q8/VbuMb9bie_I/AAAAAAAAQdk/eOx85Vjb6eE/s1600/doe%2Bquilt%2Bpartially%2Bfolded.jpg" /></a></div>So much good texture in this quilt...and it hasn't even been washed yet! The quilt measures 42" square. I'm happy to have it done! Hurray for finishes!<br /><br />Now it's your turn! Please link up your finishes for the week. As always, thanks for joining me for finish it up Friday!<br /><!-- start InLinkz script --> <script type="text/javascript">document.write('<scr' + 'ipt type="text/javascript" src="//www.inlinkz.com/cs.php?id=550135&' + new Date().getTime() + '"><\/script>'); </script> <!-- end InLinkz script -->amandajeanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06311818385469850186noreply@blogger.com60tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37018101.post-79858532745051073132015-07-27T13:12:00.003-05:002015-07-27T13:14:51.267-05:00dot your i's quilt-the beginningFirst off, thank you ALL so much for your kind words about my <a href="http://crazymomquilts.blogspot.com/2015/07/oh-my-stars-quilt-complete.html">oh my stars! quilt</a>. Those long time WIPs make for especially sweet finishes! I appreciate each and every sweet comment that you left!<br /><br />About a week ago, I started a new portable project. I had the need for one, since my star quilt is finished. I have to say,&nbsp;this quilt was quite pre-meditated! <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-sBCPSrfnJKk/VbZtzjMsI0I/AAAAAAAAQck/tlePWmFZgkM/s1600/dot%2Byour%2Bi%2527s%2Bfirst%2Bfew%2Bblocks.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-sBCPSrfnJKk/VbZtzjMsI0I/AAAAAAAAQck/tlePWmFZgkM/s1600/dot%2Byour%2Bi%2527s%2Bfirst%2Bfew%2Bblocks.jpg" /></a></div>I've wanted to make a quilt titled "dot your i's" for years and years--at least 8 years, if I had to guess. The problem is, I only had the title, but no design idea to back it up. No matter how hard I tried, the idea just wouldn't come. Well, after I made <a href="http://crazymomquilts.blogspot.com/2015/05/its-all-about-scraps.html">this pin cushion</a>, I KNEW I wanted to make an entire quilt with "squircles" on a patchwork background. I recalled my title and paired the two together. Perfection!!! <br /><br />Each of the irregular circles are hand basted onto a 4" background square and then appliqued down.&nbsp;I was inspired by <a href="http://carolynfriedlander.com/blog/">Carolyn's</a> aerial grove quilt and followed the hand applique instructions she gives in her book <a href="http://www.amazon.com/dp/1940655013/?tag=mh0b-20&amp;hvadid=4960793441&amp;hvqmt=e&amp;hvbmt=be&amp;hvdev=c&amp;ref=pd_sl_2uf0e0aia9_e">Savor Each Stitch</a>.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-15xiupJOqQA/VbZt3GYpf0I/AAAAAAAAQcs/bYe393L7l5Q/s1600/dot%2Byour%2Bi%2527s%2Bfirst%2Bweek%2Bprogress.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-15xiupJOqQA/VbZt3GYpf0I/AAAAAAAAQcs/bYe393L7l5Q/s1600/dot%2Byour%2Bi%2527s%2Bfirst%2Bweek%2Bprogress.jpg" /></a></div>I am using a variety of light fabric for the backgrounds (much like <a href="http://crazymomquilts.blogspot.com/2011/12/apple-cake-quilt.html">this quilt</a>)&nbsp;and my most precious, most hoarded scraps for the circles. (Original Flea Market Fancy,&nbsp;Katie Jump Rope and&nbsp;other&nbsp;older&nbsp;Denyse&nbsp;Schmidt prints.)&nbsp;I figured since I will be hand stitching, I will get maximum enjoyment from these precious fabrics.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vOQ1QUDL-Zk/VbZt5OJxY7I/AAAAAAAAQc0/7FS7hLbPNe8/s1600/design%2Bwall%2Bwith%2Bdot%2Byour%2Bi%2527s.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vOQ1QUDL-Zk/VbZt5OJxY7I/AAAAAAAAQc0/7FS7hLbPNe8/s1600/design%2Bwall%2Bwith%2Bdot%2Byour%2Bi%2527s.jpg" /></a></div>I&nbsp;decided to line up the blocks along the top edge of my design wall so I can enjoy them while the quilt is in progress. I can't believe how fast this project is growing already! I guess it goes without saying, I really like hand stitching...and scraps, for that matter! :)<br /><br />Happy Monday to you!amandajeanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06311818385469850186noreply@blogger.com40tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37018101.post-24257760003956422372015-07-24T10:34:00.001-05:002015-07-24T10:37:43.138-05:00oh my stars! quilt complete!!!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Welcome to finish it up Friday!﻿</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Late last Friday night, I put the final stitches in my "oh my stars!" quilt. I still can't believe that I hand pieced an entire quilt....and I can't believe that it is actually&nbsp;DONE! I started the quilt back in <a href="http://crazymomquilts.blogspot.com/2011/04/new-portable-project.html">April 2011</a>&nbsp;and it was inspired by <a href="http://lifeunderquilts.blogspot.com/">Jess'</a> travel quilts. (She has a video tutorial <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2nkCdciXDa8">here</a>, that I used to get started.)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WKOqi1EFE-g/VbJN7muHHtI/AAAAAAAAQbg/VG9lb2cr0Pk/s1600/oh%2Bmy%2Bstars%2521%2Bon%2Bclothesline.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WKOqi1EFE-g/VbJN7muHHtI/AAAAAAAAQbg/VG9lb2cr0Pk/s1600/oh%2Bmy%2Bstars%2521%2Bon%2Bclothesline.jpg" /></a></div>This quilt was a labor of love, to say the least! I started by cutting out my own templates (2" 60 degree diamonds) from cardboard. I English paper pieced (hand pieced) the entire top with countless tiny stitches. I&nbsp;drafted&nbsp;my own side templates to fill in the gaps and to make the edges straight. I couldn't bear cutting through any hand stitching! It was worth the extra time and effort to make that happen. <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jEbnEXHUGjw/VbJOy2_QnLI/AAAAAAAAQcQ/6VoZbKvKtbU/s1600/center%2Bpolka%2Bdot%2Bstar.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jEbnEXHUGjw/VbJOy2_QnLI/AAAAAAAAQcQ/6VoZbKvKtbU/s1600/center%2Bpolka%2Bdot%2Bstar.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">After all that time invested in the top, I had to hand quilt it! I thought&nbsp;it would be a good winter&nbsp;project, but I ended up quilting most&nbsp;of it this spring and&nbsp;early summer.&nbsp;Funny how that happened! I basted it last fall, and I'm quite surprised that I sped through the hand quilting process&nbsp;that quickly.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CtNafjBPkiY/VbJN942QzeI/AAAAAAAAQbo/9j06sGb5w-w/s1600/oh%2Bmy%2Bstars%2521%2Bdetail.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CtNafjBPkiY/VbJN942QzeI/AAAAAAAAQbo/9j06sGb5w-w/s1600/oh%2Bmy%2Bstars%2521%2Bdetail.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">For the fabric, I used 30's reproduction fabrics and polka dots...and I'm so glad that I made that choice early on. It definitely was the right choice! That pink star is feed sack fabric that came from my grandma's house. I love that there is some of that included in this quilt! I also LOVE that gingham bias binding! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GLXxz9N42Jc/VbJN_r5By5I/AAAAAAAAQbw/fIjPrJGOk5c/s1600/backing%2Band%2Bbinding.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GLXxz9N42Jc/VbJN_r5By5I/AAAAAAAAQbw/fIjPrJGOk5c/s1600/backing%2Band%2Bbinding.jpg" /></a></div>My&nbsp;original plan was to back this quilt with red and&nbsp;white polka&nbsp;dots (always an obvious choice for me) but I had&nbsp;yards and yards&nbsp;of this light orange coral-ish color in my stash.&nbsp;It worked out very well as backing and it felt good to use something I had on hand.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xvTR-k084qk/VbJOCeZ70iI/AAAAAAAAQcA/9u9odZF777o/s1600/polka%2Bdot%2Bbacking.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xvTR-k084qk/VbJOCeZ70iI/AAAAAAAAQcA/9u9odZF777o/s1600/polka%2Bdot%2Bbacking.jpg" /></a></div>The first time I pieced the back (which I machine stitched) I didn't line up the polka dots, but it felt all choppy, so I cut the pieces apart. On the&nbsp;second&nbsp;attempt, I carefully pieced the repeat so the polka dots lined up. So much better! Can you see the joining seam? I love that it's barely discernable. I guess I'm kind of geeky that way! :)<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-T1OokYB3OP8/VbJOBLx5i0I/AAAAAAAAQb8/AECkITCxkWY/s1600/oh%2Bmy%2Bstars%2521%2Bon%2Bchair.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-T1OokYB3OP8/VbJOBLx5i0I/AAAAAAAAQb8/AECkITCxkWY/s1600/oh%2Bmy%2Bstars%2521%2Bon%2Bchair.jpg" /></a></div>The quilt looks great draped over a chair....<br /><div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6Y1TNatagbg/VbJODn9QWTI/AAAAAAAAQcI/ziOluwUDyhg/s1600/oh%2Bmy%2Bstars%2521%2Bon%2Bend%2Bof%2Bbed.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6Y1TNatagbg/VbJODn9QWTI/AAAAAAAAQcI/ziOluwUDyhg/s1600/oh%2Bmy%2Bstars%2521%2Bon%2Bend%2Bof%2Bbed.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">...and especially pretty at the end of my bed! I'm determined that after all that work, I'm going to actually USE it! The quilt measures 62" x 82". </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Now it's your turn! Please link up your finishes for the week. Thank you for joining me for finish it up Friday!!!</div><!-- start InLinkz script --> <script type="text/javascript">document.write('<scr' + 'ipt type="text/javascript" src="//www.inlinkz.com/cs.php?id=548080&' + new Date().getTime() + '"><\/script>'); </script> <!-- end InLinkz script -->amandajeanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06311818385469850186noreply@blogger.com96tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37018101.post-63420966928065403292015-07-22T17:31:00.001-05:002015-07-22T17:32:52.769-05:00scrap pile winnerThanks for all the fun comments on the <a href="http://crazymomquilts.blogspot.com/2015/07/scraps-up-for-grabs.html">scrap giveaway post</a>. I loved reading each and every one of them. I can't believe that only a few of you commented that you like fishing! That is hands down my favorite summer activity. :)<br /><br />The winner of the scrap pile is <a href="https://www.blogger.com/profile/08628279246477636637">Karen H</a>. Thanks for all of you who played along! <br /><br />I also loved reading your <a href="http://crazymomquilts.blogspot.com/2015/07/counting-up-my-wips.html">WIP post</a> comments! Thanks for taking the time to leave them. xoamandajeanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06311818385469850186noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37018101.post-83211643262702306532015-07-21T15:39:00.002-05:002015-07-21T15:39:50.227-05:00counting up my WIPsI don't know about you, but I like to keep tabs on my WIPs. The number fluctuates, obviously, and once in awhile I lose track, but usually only for a few weeks. I like to know where I stand and how frantic I should be. Ha! Last week, after my massive week of finishing, I rewarded myself by counting them up and taking an honest assessment. It had been awhile!<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wjBu3xVtxkI/Va6rWQ-BE_I/AAAAAAAAQbI/RaFzw82kXw4/s1600/WIP%2Bcount.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wjBu3xVtxkI/Va6rWQ-BE_I/AAAAAAAAQbI/RaFzw82kXw4/s1600/WIP%2Bcount.jpg" /></a></div>I&nbsp;discovered that I have 25 quilt WIPs and one table runner. It could have been so much worse! Since my count, I've finished a quilt, but I've also&nbsp;added a new one.&nbsp;(More on those later!) I'm glad that it wasn't any higher than 25, because that's my limit. 25 is one step away&nbsp;from&nbsp;panic. :) I'd really like to get that number down to 20....perhaps even before the end of summer! It's good to have goals, right?<br /><br />I'd be curious to hear if you count up your WIPs or not. And, if you'd like to confess your number, I'd be happy to hear about it! Now, I've got some hand binding to do....amandajeanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06311818385469850186noreply@blogger.com83tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37018101.post-4952182177546441352015-07-20T13:59:00.001-05:002015-07-22T17:33:02.606-05:00scraps up for grabs<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-U3NMGkCLWkw/Va1C-U-tz8I/AAAAAAAAQa4/PsHwIE4wTxU/s1600/scrap%2Bstack%2Bgiveaway.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-U3NMGkCLWkw/Va1C-U-tz8I/AAAAAAAAQa4/PsHwIE4wTxU/s1600/scrap%2Bstack%2Bgiveaway.jpg" /></a></div>So, my long time on-line friend <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/girlreactioncrafts/">Carolyn</a> has too many scraps...and together we'd like to put them up for adoption.&nbsp;If you would like to&nbsp;win this stack of scraps, which would be perfect for a <a href="http://crazymomquilts.blogspot.com/2015/06/scrap-vortex-qal-week-one.html">scrap vortex&nbsp;quilt</a>, please leave me a comment in this post. In your comment, I'd love to hear what your favorite summer time activity is. This contest will be open to US residents only, due to&nbsp;shipping costs. I plan to pick a winner in a day or two. Good luck! :)<br /><br />Happy, happy Monday to you! amandajeanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06311818385469850186noreply@blogger.com453tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37018101.post-20015782720213423652015-07-17T11:27:00.000-05:002015-07-17T11:27:52.330-05:00a quilting marathonWelcome to finish it up Friday! <br /><br />I finished 5 quilts this week! 2 minis, one baby, one lap and one twin size. That's not crazy at ALL, is it? Ha! (I'm exhausted!!!) <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-clukq8ECmXY/VakW1irVV2I/AAAAAAAAQZg/8UmVDBqBxWU/s1600/good%2Bneigbhors%2Bquilts%2Bfinished.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-clukq8ECmXY/VakW1irVV2I/AAAAAAAAQZg/8UmVDBqBxWU/s1600/good%2Bneigbhors%2Bquilts%2Bfinished.jpg" /></a></div>4 out of 5 of the quilts&nbsp;that I finished are for my upcoming fabric line Good Neighbors&nbsp;for <a href="http://www.connectingthreads.com/">Connecting Threads</a>. It was deadline week, if you couldn't tell. :)&nbsp;The fabric is scheduled to be released in early September and I'm starting to get a little excited. (And a little nervous!) I love a stack of quilts...even if just the backs are&nbsp;showing. It felt SO good to get these finished!!! (I'm&nbsp;also very happy with how the teal polka dots work for binding! Yay!)<br /><br />I'm a part of the <a href="http://www.minneapolismqg.com/">Minneapolis Modern Quilt guild</a> and we did an optional&nbsp;scrap swap challenge. Last night was&nbsp;reveal night...and it was fabulous! I'm so glad I joined in. When it comes to scraps, it's hard for me to say no!<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-pIdAkXc6CYQ/VakW838WorI/AAAAAAAAQZ4/e1qnstrY2a0/s1600/sparkle%2Bpunch%2Bmini%2Bquilt.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-pIdAkXc6CYQ/VakW838WorI/AAAAAAAAQZ4/e1qnstrY2a0/s1600/sparkle%2Bpunch%2Bmini%2Bquilt.jpg" /></a></div>I made a <a href="http://ohfransson.com/all-projects/sparkle-punch-quilt">sparkle punch</a> mini quilt for my partner. It measures about 18" x 20".&nbsp;This is a pattern that has been on my "to make" list for a long time. I love this quilt and I had a blast making it! It was hard to let go, but I think that's a good sign. Right?&nbsp;I thoroughly enjoyed the color palette of scraps I had to work with!<br /><br />(I cut&nbsp;the squares at 3" for this version, so the individual block&nbsp;pieces finish at 2.5".)<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MpA8l16K1v8/VakW4mQ6adI/AAAAAAAAQZo/BxsehwKniLU/s1600/sparkle%2Bpunch%2Bmini%2Bcorner%2Bdetail.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MpA8l16K1v8/VakW4mQ6adI/AAAAAAAAQZo/BxsehwKniLU/s1600/sparkle%2Bpunch%2Bmini%2Bcorner%2Bdetail.jpg" /></a></div>I started by&nbsp;quilting inside the stars, but the thread just blended in, so I switched gears and I quilted just outside the stars instead. So much better! I like the accent of big stitch hand quilting, even if the stitches aren't perfect.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BZwO42R8Gsw/VakW6a19y1I/AAAAAAAAQZw/4f9eX9fOeX8/s1600/sparkle%2Bpunch%2Bbacking.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BZwO42R8Gsw/VakW6a19y1I/AAAAAAAAQZw/4f9eX9fOeX8/s1600/sparkle%2Bpunch%2Bbacking.jpg" /></a></div>Here's a little peek at the back. This print is from my upcoming&nbsp;good neighbors&nbsp;line and it was a perfect match to the front!&nbsp;This fabric will be available in regular width (44" wide)&nbsp;and in extra wide (108") for backing. I can't wait to back ALL kinds of quilts with it! I think it will be pretty all quilted up.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vIrWzHsRzqs/Vakc6J_htdI/AAAAAAAAQac/5oNQLT9Zai8/s1600/scrappy%2Bzip%2Bpouch%2Bfrom%2Bcolby.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vIrWzHsRzqs/Vakc6J_htdI/AAAAAAAAQac/5oNQLT9Zai8/s1600/scrappy%2Bzip%2Bpouch%2Bfrom%2Bcolby.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I was so focused on what I needed to MAKE for the scrap swap that I kind of forgot that I would get something in return. :)&nbsp;Colby had my scraps and made me this awesome zip pouch. I love it so very much! The lining is pink polka dots. It's pretty much perfect all around. I love that it has my initials on it, so no one else can&nbsp;claim it as their own!&nbsp;Thanks, Colby!!!﻿</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">&nbsp;</div>And one last thing for today....<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yPC_y8Dcwr8/VakXB6f_n3I/AAAAAAAAQaA/w7KhN5Ykec8/s1600/crazy%2Bquilter%2Bpouch%2Bfrom%2Bcindy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yPC_y8Dcwr8/VakXB6f_n3I/AAAAAAAAQaA/w7KhN5Ykec8/s1600/crazy%2Bquilter%2Bpouch%2Bfrom%2Bcindy.jpg" /></a></div>I didn't make this, but my friend <a href="http://www.liveacolorfullife.net/">Cindy</a> did. I am not sure why she thought of me when she found this license plate fabric (ha!) but I'm so glad that she did. She made me this wonderful pouch using the <a href="http://www.cloverandviolet.com/shop/the-flora-supply-case">flora supply case</a> pattern by <a href="http://www.cloverandviolet.com/">Clover and Violet</a>. <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZmnecCCJqSY/VakXHt7dOiI/AAAAAAAAQaI/2pZ-dsaryeY/s1600/flora%2Bsupply%2Bcase%2Binside.jpg" /></div>It has a zipper pouch in the middle and two sides of pockets...even some mesh pockets, which makes it harder to lose things in. Bonus! :)<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QR_DLRcIJEo/VakXihAV-MI/AAAAAAAAQaQ/TXGRxOu1Lis/s1600/flora%2Bsupply%2Bcase%2Binside%2B3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QR_DLRcIJEo/VakXihAV-MI/AAAAAAAAQaQ/TXGRxOu1Lis/s1600/flora%2Bsupply%2Bcase%2Binside%2B3.jpg" /></a></div>Cindy&nbsp;is the selvage queen and she&nbsp;included a bunch of them on the outside of the zip pouch section.&nbsp;I love that!! I've already been using it for carrying around my hand stitching supplies. It's so handy! Thanks so much, Cindy, for a wonderful,&nbsp;thoughtful (and practical)&nbsp;gift! <br /><br />Ok! Now it's your turn! Please link up your finishes for the week. Thanks for joining me for finish it up Friday! Hope you have a great weekend. I'm going to go take a nap! <!-- start InLinkz script --> <script type="text/javascript">document.write('<scr' + 'ipt type="text/javascript" src="//www.inlinkz.com/cs.php?id=546154&' + new Date().getTime() + '"><\/script>'); </script> <!-- end InLinkz script -->amandajeanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06311818385469850186noreply@blogger.com40tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37018101.post-40588098150714579722015-07-13T17:21:00.002-05:002015-07-13T17:38:10.502-05:00sewing up a (small) stormLast weekend was&nbsp;my&nbsp;<a href="http://www.grubersquiltshop.com/">Gruber's</a> retreat weekend with some dear friends. It was filled with laughter and shopping and eating and sewing and very little sleeping....just like a retreat should be! <br /><br />I'm not quite sure how it all came about, but at some point during the weekend, someone threw down a micro quilt challenge. And, to quote my daughter, "I wouldn't say no!" There was much discussion as to what a micro quilt is. In the end, we decided that it had to be under 4" finished&nbsp;on each side and fully bound.&nbsp;One clarification...it is even <em>smaller </em>than a coaster! <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LvezlSW223s/VaQusVjjRbI/AAAAAAAAQYU/3BZWEGPLlGM/s1600/micro%2Bquilt.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LvezlSW223s/VaQusVjjRbI/AAAAAAAAQYU/3BZWEGPLlGM/s1600/micro%2Bquilt.jpg" /></a></div>This is what I came up with for my micro quilt, which is yet unnamed. :) It&nbsp;measures 3" x 3.25" and is fully bound! I&nbsp;used a single fold binding and&nbsp;put&nbsp;my "<a href="http://crazymomquilts.blogspot.com/2014/12/how-to-bind-tiny-things.html">how to bind tiny things</a>" tutorial to the test. I'm happy to say it worked! (Phew!!!)&nbsp;I sure&nbsp;love taking crazy to new levels!!! :)<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-v1z5urmOokk/VaQuvJPsqhI/AAAAAAAAQYc/OG1pf-mpHqg/s1600/micro%2Bquilt%2Bchallenge.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-v1z5urmOokk/VaQuvJPsqhI/AAAAAAAAQYc/OG1pf-mpHqg/s1600/micro%2Bquilt%2Bchallenge.jpg" /></a></div>My friend <a href="http://rowhousecreations.com/">Doris</a> took the challenge as well. Her quilt is on the left.&nbsp;Look at those cute little flying geese! Her micro quilt is even smaller...measuring 3" x 2 7/8"...and has double fold binding! Impressive! There was no winner or loser in the challenge...we did it just for fun!<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-J2lmp9__z2I/VaQuwTeEDOI/AAAAAAAAQYk/lbp8nv9fiEE/s1600/fabric%2Bshopping%2Bfor%2Bmichelle.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-J2lmp9__z2I/VaQuwTeEDOI/AAAAAAAAQYk/lbp8nv9fiEE/s1600/fabric%2Bshopping%2Bfor%2Bmichelle.jpg" /></a></div>I had the chance to be a personal fabric shopper for my friend, <a href="http://frustratedquilter.blogspot.com/">Michelle</a>, who doesn't like fabric shopping. (I don't understand what that means, so please don't ask! Hahaha!) She gave me&nbsp;a certain dollar amount to spend on&nbsp;fabric that I would normally pick for myself. It was good that she emphasized that I should select <em>things I would normally pick for myself</em>, because I kept thinking of what her preferences might be. In the end, I liked&nbsp;my selections&nbsp;so much that I bought&nbsp;one stack for her&nbsp;AND one stack&nbsp;for me!! It was a fun experiment and thankfully she was happy with my selections. We are already planning on doing it again next year! I can't wait! <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YiIwWVbHRH0/VaQuzTJQRfI/AAAAAAAAQYs/k-wMUHXvXes/s1600/pile%2Bof%2Bquilts%2Bto%2Bbind.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YiIwWVbHRH0/VaQuzTJQRfI/AAAAAAAAQYs/k-wMUHXvXes/s1600/pile%2Bof%2Bquilts%2Bto%2Bbind.jpg" /></a></div>I dream of having a stack of 20 quilts just sitting around waiting&nbsp;for me to&nbsp;hand stitch the&nbsp;binding. (I really AM crazy, huh???) Well, I'm 3/20 of the way to my dream, apparently! I did a whole lot of sewing, quilting, binding making and knot burying this weekend. But, I don't intend to let them&nbsp;sit unfinished for long-I'm soooo ready for some quilt finishes!<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-K2KgawJ7_48/VaQ73zmuMRI/AAAAAAAAQZE/yKJ0K43tsgs/s1600/gruber%2527s%2Bretreat%2B2015%2Bresized.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-K2KgawJ7_48/VaQ73zmuMRI/AAAAAAAAQZE/yKJ0K43tsgs/s1600/gruber%2527s%2Bretreat%2B2015%2Bresized.jpg" /></a></div><div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">﻿</div>This was our group this year: (Left to right) Me, <a href="http://www.renecreates.com/">Rene</a>, <a href="http://rowhousecreations.com/">Doris</a>, <a href="http://maryonlakepulaski.blogspot.com/">Mary</a>, <a href="http://frustratedquilter.blogspot.com/">Michelle</a>, <a href="http://terrisnotebook.com/">Terri</a>, <a href="http://www.liveacolorfullife.net/">Cindy</a>, <a href="http://prairiemoonquilts.com/?page_id=62">Shelly</a> and <a href="http://www.peasinapod.typepad.com/">Stephanie</a>. I'm so thankful for the chance to hang out and sew with these lovely ladies and I miss them already! <br /><br />Happy Monday to you! amandajeanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06311818385469850186noreply@blogger.com31tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37018101.post-8516371077166184172015-07-10T10:40:00.000-05:002015-07-10T10:40:00.054-05:00WIP bags for happiesWelcome to finish it up Friday! <br /><br />This was a busy week, but aren't they all? :) On Wednesday I had a marathon sew day&nbsp;to work&nbsp;on making "happies" for my friends for our Gruber's retreat weekend.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2wUp8Ph9eDo/VZ_ckPQRbpI/AAAAAAAAQXw/9MFCSOhMmaA/s1600/WIP%2Bbags%2Bfor%2Bhappies.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2wUp8Ph9eDo/VZ_ckPQRbpI/AAAAAAAAQXw/9MFCSOhMmaA/s1600/WIP%2Bbags%2Bfor%2Bhappies.jpg" /></a></div>"Happies" are&nbsp;simply&nbsp;little gifts for friends to brighten their day. They've become a tradition at our retreat and it is fun to think up something unique to make for them. We've been exchanging gifts for at least 5 years now, so the bar is getting quite high!<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ptWaMe0DVwc/VZ_chrxi0jI/AAAAAAAAQXo/CtUouzJlMOc/s1600/WIP%2Bbags%2Bfor%2Bhappies%2Bwith%2Bjuki.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ptWaMe0DVwc/VZ_chrxi0jI/AAAAAAAAQXo/CtUouzJlMOc/s1600/WIP%2Bbags%2Bfor%2Bhappies%2Bwith%2Bjuki.jpg" /></a></div>I do love making these WIP bags, but I wouldn't recommend trying to make 8 in one day. :) (The pattern is available <a href="http://www.craftsy.com/pattern/quilting/accessory/work-in-progress-bags/131465">here</a>, and I have a whole blog post about sewing with vinyl and zippers <a href="http://crazymomquilts.blogspot.com/2015/02/sewing-with-vinyl-and-shortening-zippers.html">here</a>.)<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nfWm33eUr6Q/VZ_jR8GWoUI/AAAAAAAAQYA/Da3Ir_Kw5Yg/s1600/retreat%2Bhappies%2B2015.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nfWm33eUr6Q/VZ_jR8GWoUI/AAAAAAAAQYA/Da3Ir_Kw5Yg/s1600/retreat%2Bhappies%2B2015.jpg" /></a></div>These&nbsp;are the "happies"&nbsp;from this year. See what I'm saying about the bar being high? It's&nbsp;so fun! Getting together with friends&nbsp;for 3 1/2 days of sewing is such a treat and I'm so thankful for these lovely ladies! I'm so happy to have a decent finish for this week, too. Yay!<br /><br />Now it's your turn! Please link up your finishes for the week! Thanks for joining me for finish it up Friday!<br /><!-- start InLinkz script --> <script type="text/javascript">document.write('<scr' + 'ipt type="text/javascript" src="//www.inlinkz.com/cs.php?id=544172&' + new Date().getTime() + '"><\/script>'); </script> <!-- end InLinkz script -->amandajeanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06311818385469850186noreply@blogger.com24tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37018101.post-71245142280955814942015-07-06T21:36:00.001-05:002015-07-08T08:01:15.237-05:00colorful scrap quilting on Craftsy<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7QKaT9xwNMg/VZsJN3d8A6I/AAAAAAAAQV0/Hy-Cp_zqmh0/s1600/titleCard.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7QKaT9xwNMg/VZsJN3d8A6I/AAAAAAAAQV0/Hy-Cp_zqmh0/s400/titleCard.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-g0rELSSHVQ4/VZsJFRmFRQI/AAAAAAAAQVs/bRK_Mcu1CFg/s1600/5198_300x250.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a>&nbsp;</div>My Craftsy class, <a href="http://www.craftsy.com/ext/Amanda-JeanNyberg_5198_H">Colorful Scrap Quilting</a>, is LIVE today! I'm extremely nervous just <em>thinking </em>about watching it, but my curiosity&nbsp;<em>may</em> get the better of me. My kids are planning/threatening to&nbsp;play it on our large TV.&nbsp;I think that's the worst case scenario and if they do,&nbsp;I&nbsp;may have to run away for a little while.&nbsp;Hahaha!<br /><br />I'm so grateful for the opportunity to teach a Craftsy class, even if it did scare the living daylights out of me.&nbsp;:) There were two factors that kept me going amid all the self doubts: 1.&nbsp;I had talked to a few close friends about taping a Craftsy class for at least a year and I didn't want to&nbsp;compromise my&nbsp;integrity. 2.&nbsp;Turning 40 was a good motivator, too. It was a seize the day (or year) kind of thing. It may sound silly, but it really helped me face my fears!<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nsPsHF-tQDc/VZsIDacVSvI/AAAAAAAAQVc/TKDU712vovY/s1600/row%2Bby%2Brow%2Bquilt.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nsPsHF-tQDc/VZsIDacVSvI/AAAAAAAAQVc/TKDU712vovY/s400/row%2Bby%2Brow%2Bquilt.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>The quilt itself was designed in Illustrator,&nbsp;on a deadline, of course! Designing on a deadline is, um...interesting! Designing a quilt in Illustrator is rarely my first choice. But, sometimes you gotta do what you gotta do! After spending a few days wondering if the quilt was actually going to work, (I was honestly wondering!) I decided that there was only one way to find out---start sewing!<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9Q7_tBZZUdU/VZsGhdvXynI/AAAAAAAAQVQ/0FA6xplXoBU/s1600/paper%2Bwork%2Bfor%2Brow%2Bquilt%2B2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9Q7_tBZZUdU/VZsGhdvXynI/AAAAAAAAQVQ/0FA6xplXoBU/s400/paper%2Bwork%2Bfor%2Brow%2Bquilt%2B2.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>All of the class prep (and quilt making) was done in a quick timeframe. I think I had 4-5 weeks to prepare. It was intense! Thankfully, my family and a few close friends cheered me on the whole way though. That helped so much! I spent many, many&nbsp;hours prepping before we actually filmed. I went through a lot of scratch paper planning and doing the math. SO MUCH math! So&nbsp;many&nbsp;chicken scratches!<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-D7-cwbJEWoY/VZsa_HGtuyI/AAAAAAAAQWU/A3OMz22RcxU/s1600/row%2Bby%2Brow%2Bin%2Bprogress.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-D7-cwbJEWoY/VZsa_HGtuyI/AAAAAAAAQWU/A3OMz22RcxU/s1600/row%2Bby%2Brow%2Bin%2Bprogress.jpg" /></a></div>Some days I sewed for about 12 hours! I took a ton of photos as I worked, evaluating&nbsp;the progress every step of the way. There was a lot of editing of fabrics, colors and blocks.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zp6VYjYCn5U/VZsJB418tKI/AAAAAAAAQVk/AWt1uipmi-o/s1600/row%2Bby%2Brow%2Bfabric%2Bpalette%2Bwatermark.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zp6VYjYCn5U/VZsJB418tKI/AAAAAAAAQVk/AWt1uipmi-o/s1600/row%2Bby%2Brow%2Bfabric%2Bpalette%2Bwatermark.jpg" /></a></div>I used a&nbsp;bunch of fabric from my stash.&nbsp;A BUNCH! Several times I had to remind myself (out loud, no less), "It's all just fabric", as I cut into it. I talked to myself a lot during the process. That's what working alone in a basement for hours on end will do to you! :)<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-eEdMdjWhX9g/VZsdwk1InBI/AAAAAAAAQWg/S7rPBAxsEh4/s1600/box%2Bof%2Bscraps%2Bleftover%2Bfrom%2Brow%2Bquilt.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-eEdMdjWhX9g/VZsdwk1InBI/AAAAAAAAQWg/S7rPBAxsEh4/s1600/box%2Bof%2Bscraps%2Bleftover%2Bfrom%2Brow%2Bquilt.jpg" /></a></div>I generated a ton of scraps, too. I put all the remains in this paper box lid to sort through for another day. That should be LOTS of fun! It's a darn good thing I like scraps as much as I do!<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jRgmABbKYeY/VZsJUVsM_yI/AAAAAAAAQV8/1O_fWvBtDBs/s1600/super%2Bclean%2Bstudio.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jRgmABbKYeY/VZsJUVsM_yI/AAAAAAAAQV8/1O_fWvBtDBs/s1600/super%2Bclean%2Bstudio.jpg" /></a></div>My producer asked me for a photo of my studio, so I had to clean up my room during that time as well. My craft room&nbsp;is never this clean. Only for a&nbsp;few minutes while the photos were being taken. It's my husband's dream to have it this clean. Even occasionally would do!<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WavduMBwH0w/VZsJZ9btTtI/AAAAAAAAQWE/6W_u3bTYQGI/s1600/real%2Bcraft%2Broom%2Bphoto.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WavduMBwH0w/VZsJZ9btTtI/AAAAAAAAQWE/6W_u3bTYQGI/s1600/real%2Bcraft%2Broom%2Bphoto.jpg" /></a></div>This is what it looked like most of the time I was working. Or sometimes even worse!<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-d3admPUSYRU/VZssCOp6EjI/AAAAAAAAQWw/48jASCZF_ek/s1600/adding%2Bbinding%2Bto%2Brow%2Bquilt.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-d3admPUSYRU/VZssCOp6EjI/AAAAAAAAQWw/48jASCZF_ek/s1600/adding%2Bbinding%2Bto%2Brow%2Bquilt.jpg" /></a></div>After I had the&nbsp;top completed, I handed the quilt into <a href="http://www.skbquilting.com/">Steffani's</a> capable hands for long arm quilting. She did an amazing job on it! It was fun to bind it because it was almost finished and I got to admire her beautiful quilting!<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-AwqDT9gt8N4/VZs2HzW1mnI/AAAAAAAAQXA/vvatyMxdx_w/s1600/in%2Bthe%2Bstudio.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-AwqDT9gt8N4/VZs2HzW1mnI/AAAAAAAAQXA/vvatyMxdx_w/s1600/in%2Bthe%2Bstudio.jpg" /></a></div>The taping itself was nerve-wracking, but the crew I worked with was so fun. They are good at what they do!<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-PK9M85L5uYw/VZs2IPRsPDI/AAAAAAAAQXE/9IkcBCgUCic/s1600/in%2Bthe%2Bstudio%2B2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-PK9M85L5uYw/VZs2IPRsPDI/AAAAAAAAQXE/9IkcBCgUCic/s1600/in%2Bthe%2Bstudio%2B2.jpg" /></a></div>We had a great time joking around between filming segments. (It was fun to use quilts I've made as back drops!) We laughed a lot and worked long days. It was quite an experience!<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zhfiIKYj3lM/VZs33C7HHcI/AAAAAAAAQXY/Snp6MGUNlwk/s1600/power%2Bpose.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="353" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zhfiIKYj3lM/VZs33C7HHcI/AAAAAAAAQXY/Snp6MGUNlwk/s400/power%2Bpose.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>It felt great to complete the taping...this was my celebratory power pose. I was pretty happy! :)<br />﻿﻿<br />If you want to see a trailer of the class, you can view it <a href="http://www.craftsy.com/video/course?courseId=5198">here</a>. My son and I watched it and he said, "Wow, they made you look good!" He sounded a little surprised! Hahaha! <br /><br />I realize that this is quite a long blog post, but I think it's important to share the process behind it all. SO much goes on behind the scenes and it can look easy, but it all is a ton of work. It's good work, though, and I'm thankful to have it!<br /><br />I'd like to say a HUGE thank you to my friend <a href="http://www.tinkerfrog.blogspot.com/">Tara</a>, who was so helpful to me throughout the entire process. And a big thank you to all of you, my readers, who have left kind comments about&nbsp;the class and the quilt&nbsp;already. I appreciate your support more than I can say! <br /><br />Happy Monday to you! amandajeanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06311818385469850186noreply@blogger.com60tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37018101.post-63539770443196749352015-07-03T08:52:00.002-05:002015-07-03T08:52:45.522-05:00charcoal socksWelcome to finish it up Friday! <br /><br />I finished knitting another pair of socks this week--my 14th pair to date! I love gray and I wear a lot of it. It was surprisingly difficult to find a decent gray sock yarn, but I found some on&nbsp;a&nbsp;trip to Duluth earlier this year. I used my basic sock pattern, which you can find <a href="http://www.craftsy.com/pattern/knitting/clothing/amandas-basic-sock-pattern/121873">here</a>. I'm sure that these socks will be in heavy rotation this coming fall/winter. They are so comfortable!<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PGw5A8IRIxI/VZaPzYYr0QI/AAAAAAAAQUw/knjzn641AZg/s1600/charcoal%2Bsocks.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PGw5A8IRIxI/VZaPzYYr0QI/AAAAAAAAQUw/knjzn641AZg/s640/charcoal%2Bsocks.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><a href="http://crazymomquilts.blogspot.com/2014/07/avocado-socks.html">One year ago</a>, I had a sock finish as well! Isn't that funny? <br /><br />Also, today, I am finishing up my 30's. That's right...I turn the big 4-0 tomorrow. I'm not sure that I'm excited about that finish, but I guess it's better than the alternative! Ha!<br /><br />One more thing...thanks for all your sweet comments on my <a href="http://crazymomquilts.blogspot.com/2015/07/win-my-craftsy-class.html">upcoming Craftsy&nbsp;class</a>. I appreciate your support more than I can say! xoxo<br /><br />Now it's your turn! Please link up your finishes for the week. Thanks for joining me! I hope you all of you in the US have a great and safe&nbsp;holiday weekend! <br /><!-- start InLinkz script --> <script type="text/javascript">document.write('<scr' + 'ipt type="text/javascript" src="//www.inlinkz.com/cs.php?id=541960&' + new Date().getTime() + '"><\/script>'); </script> <!-- end InLinkz script -->amandajeanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06311818385469850186noreply@blogger.com46tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37018101.post-18040210862234973682015-07-02T11:07:00.001-05:002015-07-02T11:13:12.766-05:00win my craftsy class! <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZMj4dPZwrPw/VZViQuIZxpI/AAAAAAAAQUc/6zZm7zApPsQ/s1600/titleCard.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZMj4dPZwrPw/VZViQuIZxpI/AAAAAAAAQUc/6zZm7zApPsQ/s400/titleCard.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>Hello, hello!&nbsp;I'm<em> super</em> nervous and a little excited to announce that my <a href="http://www.craftsy.com/my/home">Craftsy</a> class is scheduled to released next week! I haven't really said much about it since I spilled the beans in May, but today I'd like to share a little bit about the projects in my class. I plan to write a post about the <em>process</em> another day...it was quite an experience! At the end of this post, I will offer you a chance to win my class!<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-IVC_Qt9NnbM/VZVUWyTfc2I/AAAAAAAAQUA/QTkGPL3ov-4/s1600/row%2Bquilt%2Bfull.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-IVC_Qt9NnbM/VZVUWyTfc2I/AAAAAAAAQUA/QTkGPL3ov-4/s640/row%2Bquilt%2Bfull.jpg" width="513" /></a></div>I designed this colorful row quilt&nbsp;specifically for my Craftsy class. The quilt features 10 different&nbsp;rows of patchwork. In&nbsp;the&nbsp;class, I&nbsp;share tips on fabric selection and walk through the construction of each block/row, step by step.&nbsp; <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-eNl0K_1JMvU/VZVgO0vUSfI/AAAAAAAAQUQ/zqp2pCD0_So/s1600/color%2Bswatches.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-eNl0K_1JMvU/VZVgO0vUSfI/AAAAAAAAQUQ/zqp2pCD0_So/s400/color%2Bswatches.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>In the end, I used over 170 unique fabrics from my stash&nbsp;to make&nbsp;this quilt. (It was&nbsp;FUN!)<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mTl1ZnxrHBw/VZVUSNhn88I/AAAAAAAAQT4/4u1oej7f7L0/s1600/row%2Bquilt%2Bon%2Bthe%2Bfence.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mTl1ZnxrHBw/VZVUSNhn88I/AAAAAAAAQT4/4u1oej7f7L0/s400/row%2Bquilt%2Bon%2Bthe%2Bfence.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>Rather than using a plain white background for the quilt, I used a small black and white polka dot. It tones down all that bright happy color (in the best way, of course) and gives it a bit of a vintage feel.&nbsp; This version is BIG, measuring 72" x 96". I love how it turned out so very much!<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Nm6Flvnra38/VZVT7XEWQEI/AAAAAAAAQTo/4ejvSHU4d6A/s1600/baby%2Brow%2Bquilt%2Bin%2Bprogress.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Nm6Flvnra38/VZVT7XEWQEI/AAAAAAAAQTo/4ejvSHU4d6A/s400/baby%2Brow%2Bquilt%2Bin%2Bprogress.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I also offer a smaller&nbsp;option--a baby size---which uses some of the same elements of the large row quilt. This is a good way to explore some of the techniques, but with the ability to finish the quilt more quickly.&nbsp;The baby version&nbsp;was made in a completely different color way, which changes the overall look and feel of the quilt. I love to explore&nbsp;and&nbsp;imagine all&nbsp;the possibilities that you can obtain by simply changing up the fabric choices. I would love to make yet another version of the large row quilt, but this&nbsp;time&nbsp;using all Denyse Schmidt fabrics. I think it would be fabulous!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qkKQ1_7x-PY/VZVT8sm1dZI/AAAAAAAAQT0/qyej3hnVnDI/s1600/AJ%2Bpeeking%2Bfrom%2Bbehind%2Bthe%2Bquilt.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qkKQ1_7x-PY/VZVT8sm1dZI/AAAAAAAAQT0/qyej3hnVnDI/s400/AJ%2Bpeeking%2Bfrom%2Bbehind%2Bthe%2Bquilt.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="clear: both; text-align: left;">If you would like to win my class, you can enter <a href="http://www.craftsy.com/lp/AmandaJeanNyberg_Giveaway?ext=AmandaJeanNyberg_Giveaway&amp;utm_source=Amanda%20Jean%20Nyberg&amp;utm_medium=Instructor&amp;utm_campaign=General-Registrations&amp;initialPage=true">here</a>. (You must be a craftsy member or you can sign up to become one, if you aren't already.)&nbsp;If you win, you can tell me what you think about the class, because I'm not sure that I will be able to watch it myself. :) </div><div style="clear: both; text-align: left;">&nbsp;</div><div style="clear: both; text-align: left;">(By the way, isn't that last photo funny? I laughed out loud so hard when I saw it. I hope it gives you a chuckle, too!)</div><div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">﻿</div>amandajeanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06311818385469850186noreply@blogger.com75tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37018101.post-50122192339279560472015-07-01T12:50:00.001-05:002015-07-01T12:50:25.357-05:00scrap vortex QAL, week 5Welcome to the final week of the scrap vortex QAL! I'm thankful that so many of you have joined in and quilted along with me. It's been delightful to look through the #scrapvortexqal hashtag on Instagram. So many scraps are&nbsp;being put to good use! Hurray!<br /><br />Before we get on with today's post, I wanted to share a few quilt tops made by others!<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5HwvDr_S494/VZQXqz4ix3I/AAAAAAAAQSI/EcvgeD9JuG4/s1600/material%2Bgirl%2Bquilts%2Bscrap%2Bvortex%2Bresized.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5HwvDr_S494/VZQXqz4ix3I/AAAAAAAAQSI/EcvgeD9JuG4/s1600/material%2Bgirl%2Bquilts%2Bscrap%2Bvortex%2Bresized.jpg" /></a></div>This one&nbsp;was made&nbsp;by <a href="https://materialgirlquilts.wordpress.com/">Amanda&nbsp;of Material Girl Quilts</a>. It measures about 46" x 63".<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yuJnPhGPNDI/VZQXtBX3eLI/AAAAAAAAQSU/Czhh5iC8jHE/s1600/flourishing%2Bpalms%2Bscrap%2Bvortex%2Bquilt%2Btop%2Bresized.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yuJnPhGPNDI/VZQXtBX3eLI/AAAAAAAAQSU/Czhh5iC8jHE/s640/flourishing%2Bpalms%2Bscrap%2Bvortex%2Bquilt%2Btop%2Bresized.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">This one was made by <a href="http://flourishingpalms.blogspot.com/">Linda of Flourishing Palms</a>. It measures a whopping 89" x 91"!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gpOg8yUP7Bg/VZQXm4i6OMI/AAAAAAAAQSA/8xKqAzqbtow/s1600/debpotteringabout%2Bscrap%2Bvortex%2Bquilt%2Btop%2Bresized.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gpOg8yUP7Bg/VZQXm4i6OMI/AAAAAAAAQSA/8xKqAzqbtow/s1600/debpotteringabout%2Bscrap%2Bvortex%2Bquilt%2Btop%2Bresized.jpg" /></a></div>And this one was made by <a href="http://websta.me/n/debpotteringabout">debpotteringabout</a>. She used&nbsp;all of her scraps...ALL of them!!! How is that for a success story? <br /><br />Didn't they <strong>all </strong>do a great job on their quilts??? Many thanks to Amanda, Linda and Deb for letting me share their work here!<br /><br />Over the past few weeks, I've shown how to fit the pieces together based on the random sizes of your block.&nbsp;I would recommend&nbsp;using that method, if you are up for it. However,&nbsp;I would imagine that some of you may want to rely on a block format for construction. I've done a few quilt block mock ups to show a few options if the random layout isn't working for you.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mKaSFzLsVGw/VZQOzIhHWaI/AAAAAAAAQRw/qB_VIfk2TPs/s1600/scrap%2Bvortex%2B12%2Binch%2Bblock%2Blayout.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mKaSFzLsVGw/VZQOzIhHWaI/AAAAAAAAQRw/qB_VIfk2TPs/s640/scrap%2Bvortex%2B12%2Binch%2Bblock%2Blayout.jpg" width="534" /></a></div>For this first mock up, you could use all 12" blocks. This isn't a bad&nbsp;option at all, just a bit more structured than the typical randomness of a scrap vortex quilt. When you start the assembly, at least you&nbsp;are guaranteed that your blocks will fit together!<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-krN3TBIZtko/VZQNPELCIeI/AAAAAAAAQRk/oVqOmkpXrAs/s1600/scrap%2Bvortex%2Bblock%2Blayout.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-krN3TBIZtko/VZQNPELCIeI/AAAAAAAAQRk/oVqOmkpXrAs/s640/scrap%2Bvortex%2Bblock%2Blayout.jpg" width="531" /></a></div>This second layout uses just&nbsp;3 different block sizes: 12" squares, 12" x 18" rectangles and 6" x 12" rectangles. In this layout, you will&nbsp;lose the grid of the patchwork (which is a good thing)&nbsp;and it becomes more random, but it's still orderly and predictable. This isn't a bad option, either! These are just a few examples to illustrate my&nbsp;point. Of course, they can be sized up or down as desired. Completely random is good, too!<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zlUPbF3y2vE/VZQmPTjv4eI/AAAAAAAAQTU/h_wPEh7i_6U/s1600/spiral%2Bquilting%2Bdetail.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zlUPbF3y2vE/VZQmPTjv4eI/AAAAAAAAQTU/h_wPEh7i_6U/s1600/spiral%2Bquilting%2Bdetail.jpg" /></a></div>As far as quilting goes, I would recommend doing spiral quilt (tutorial <a href="http://crazymomquilts.blogspot.com/2014/01/a-spiral-and-oval-quiting-tutorial.html">here</a>) to keep with the vortex theme. <br /><br />A pieced back....<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hn0F7UiXGKc/VZQmJXxVpDI/AAAAAAAAQTM/_JYcKnYFSUQ/s1600/scrap%2Bvortex%2Bbacking.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hn0F7UiXGKc/VZQmJXxVpDI/AAAAAAAAQTM/_JYcKnYFSUQ/s1600/scrap%2Bvortex%2Bbacking.jpg" /></a></div>and scrappy binding are options that I would recommend as well! <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-O5XAcRV9QL4/VZQmGBZYv5I/AAAAAAAAQTE/rwrcQfIcBQo/s1600/scrappy%2Bbinding%2Bon%2Bvortex.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-O5XAcRV9QL4/VZQmGBZYv5I/AAAAAAAAQTE/rwrcQfIcBQo/s1600/scrappy%2Bbinding%2Bon%2Bvortex.jpg" /></a></div>It just makes sense, right? :)<br /><br />Well, that's all I have for today! As always, if you any questions, I'll try to answer them in the comments! <br />Thank you ALL for quilting along with me!!! amandajeanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06311818385469850186noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37018101.post-59439282355594353272015-06-30T08:46:00.000-05:002015-06-30T08:46:00.487-05:00a personalized pillow <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tBl4A07U1mE/VZHUDM-alzI/AAAAAAAAQQo/zB9IfWAJX-A/s1600/mandara%2527s%2Bpillow.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tBl4A07U1mE/VZHUDM-alzI/AAAAAAAAQQo/zB9IfWAJX-A/s1600/mandara%2527s%2Bpillow.jpg" /></a></div>My daughter has a friend that celebrated her birthday last week. I wanted to make her friend&nbsp;a pillow&nbsp;(I've had it in mind for months!) and even though I didn't feel like I had the&nbsp;time to make it, I&nbsp;whipped it up&nbsp;anyway. It's amazing how&nbsp;much&nbsp;one can get done with a little bit of focus <em>and</em> a deadline. <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tmrlztQ_35U/VZHUQJWnz7I/AAAAAAAAQRI/mqe0acOntqQ/s1600/mandara%2527s%2Bpillow%2Bcorner%2Bdetail.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tmrlztQ_35U/VZHUQJWnz7I/AAAAAAAAQRI/mqe0acOntqQ/s1600/mandara%2527s%2Bpillow%2Bcorner%2Bdetail.jpg" /></a></div>A lot of these cute&nbsp;scraps came from my friend <a href="http://www.maryonlakepulaski.blogspot.com/">Mary</a>. (Thanks Mary!!!) My daughter had picked them out and squirreled them away as her favorites. I couldn't think of a better project to use them for! I used a regular sized bed pillow for the form and added an envelope backing (similar to <a href="http://crazymomquilts.blogspot.com/2014/02/how-to-make-envelope-backed-pillow.html">this</a>) so&nbsp;the pillow&nbsp;cover is washable. An absolute&nbsp;must!<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-sUueTEBofTI/VZHUG2LN9tI/AAAAAAAAQQ4/5dwxiPI8KsM/s1600/mandara%2527s%2Bpillow%2Bdetail%2B2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-sUueTEBofTI/VZHUG2LN9tI/AAAAAAAAQQ4/5dwxiPI8KsM/s1600/mandara%2527s%2Bpillow%2Bdetail%2B2.jpg" /></a></div>With a name&nbsp;like Mandara, I knew that personalized items are hard to come by, so I wanted to be sure to include her name somewhere on the project. I used my rustic embroidery skills (heh) to add her name to one patch. I like that it's included in the mix, but that&nbsp;it's&nbsp;not necessarily the focal point. When I was stressing over the lack of perfection, my husband reminded me that the recipient is 9, and not to worry&nbsp;about it. It's always good to have a voice of reason! <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-EgIByznnSdc/VZHUE4BsM1I/AAAAAAAAQQw/e2cEVzumIQI/s1600/mandara%2527s%2Bpillow%2B2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-EgIByznnSdc/VZHUE4BsM1I/AAAAAAAAQQw/e2cEVzumIQI/s1600/mandara%2527s%2Bpillow%2B2.jpg" /></a></div>I'm happy to say that Mandara loved it! She and my daughter had fun looking at all the different fabrics and finding cute things to squeal over. It was delightful! It felt pretty&nbsp;good to be able to cross something off&nbsp;my list, too.amandajeanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06311818385469850186noreply@blogger.com42tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37018101.post-44395524558474962972015-06-29T16:31:00.000-05:002015-06-29T16:32:24.307-05:00you inspire me to quilt winnerThe winner of the hard copy of <a href="http://www.naptimequilter.blogspot.com/">Cheryl's</a> new book "<a href="http://www.amazon.com/You-Inspire-Me-Quilt-Designers/dp/1617450359/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1435087598&amp;sr=8-1&amp;keywords=you%20inspire%20me%20to%20quilt">you inspire me to quilt</a>" is <a href="https://www.blogger.com/profile/10706614750500929214">The Joyful Quilter</a>.<br />The winner of the digital copy is <a href="https://www.blogger.com/profile/04818955996580088733">Lisa</a> from Canada. Congrats to both of you! <br />Many thanks to all of you who left such nice comments about my&nbsp;<a href="http://crazymomquilts.blogspot.com/2015/06/date-stamp-quilt.html">date stamp&nbsp;quilt</a>. I appreciate each and every one! <br /><br />Happy Monday to you! amandajeanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06311818385469850186noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37018101.post-54469881867522174342015-06-26T11:04:00.003-05:002015-06-26T11:05:58.987-05:00deluxe pin cushionWelcome to finish&nbsp;it up Friday!<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TGRGM1L25zM/VY1xWTeXsPI/AAAAAAAAQQM/126aeFeSzL0/s1600/deluxe%2Bpin%2Bcushion%2B1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TGRGM1L25zM/VY1xWTeXsPI/AAAAAAAAQQM/126aeFeSzL0/s1600/deluxe%2Bpin%2Bcushion%2B1.jpg" /></a></div>This morning&nbsp;I made a deluxe pin cushion and I LOVE it so very much! The pattern is in the book <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Sew-Organized-Busy-Girl-Projects/dp/1607059797">Sew Organized for the Busy Girl</a> by <a href="http://fabricmutt.blogspot.com/">Heidi Staples</a>. I have a feeling I will make at least 20 more of these&nbsp;pin cushions. For real!<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-XlcESW7xzII/VY1xWmq7IvI/AAAAAAAAQQQ/T2x0ISXVnjA/s1600/deluxe%2Bpin%2Bcushion%2B2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-XlcESW7xzII/VY1xWmq7IvI/AAAAAAAAQQQ/T2x0ISXVnjA/s1600/deluxe%2Bpin%2Bcushion%2B2.jpg" /></a></div>For this version, I dug into my most precious scraps of Flea Market Fancy and Katie Jump Rope fabric. The sweet floral that I used for the body of the pin cushion is my absolute favorite fabric at the moment...I only had a fat quarter of it, but I used it anyway. I just love it!!!<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-i7PSZRdnuaI/VY1xPwLhP1I/AAAAAAAAQQE/RDzEKaFKLCY/s1600/my%2Bmelody%2Bin%2Bsleeping%2Bbag%2B2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-i7PSZRdnuaI/VY1xPwLhP1I/AAAAAAAAQQE/RDzEKaFKLCY/s1600/my%2Bmelody%2Bin%2Bsleeping%2Bbag%2B2.jpg" /></a></div>Before I stuffed the pin cushion, I showed it to my daughter and we thought it would make a good sleeping bag for a small stuffed toy. She pulled out my little My Melody doll and&nbsp;we tried it out.&nbsp;Oh, my goodness!!! We squealed at the cuteness for a good long time.&nbsp;My boys were a little&nbsp;dubious, but they were also half smiling. (I love that!)<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NIX_RNRNvTM/VY1uwlezAEI/AAAAAAAAQPo/-0mOtV-Ke-0/s1600/my%2Bmelody%2Bin%2Bsleeping%2Bbag.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NIX_RNRNvTM/VY1uwlezAEI/AAAAAAAAQPo/-0mOtV-Ke-0/s1600/my%2Bmelody%2Bin%2Bsleeping%2Bbag.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-IDl6p-Nnkgc/VY1u5PZ9-6I/AAAAAAAAQP4/GahgOfmY0uI/s1600/my%2Bmelody%2Bwith%2Bsleeping%2Bbag.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-IDl6p-Nnkgc/VY1u5PZ9-6I/AAAAAAAAQP4/GahgOfmY0uI/s1600/my%2Bmelody%2Bwith%2Bsleeping%2Bbag.jpg" /></a></div><div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">﻿</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1gygzdqieg8/VY1uyu6sM0I/AAAAAAAAQPw/AMALjwkVmZg/s1600/my%2Bmelody%2Bsleeping%2Bbag.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1gygzdqieg8/VY1uyu6sM0I/AAAAAAAAQPw/AMALjwkVmZg/s1600/my%2Bmelody%2Bsleeping%2Bbag.jpg" /></a></div>I mean, c'mon! The cuteness! I think I might be 9 years old inside. :) Also,&nbsp;I think I will be sewing up another one for a sleeping bag&nbsp;this afternoon! <br /><br />Now it's your turn! Please link up your finishes for the week.&nbsp;Thanks for joining me for finish it up Friday! Have a fantastic weekend! xo<br /><br /><!-- start InLinkz script --> <script type="text/javascript">document.write('<scr' + 'ipt type="text/javascript" src="//www.inlinkz.com/cs.php?id=539406&' + new Date().getTime() + '"><\/script>'); </script> <!-- end InLinkz script -->amandajeanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06311818385469850186noreply@blogger.com39tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37018101.post-23126574845163819022015-06-24T10:40:00.001-05:002015-06-24T10:43:04.904-05:00scrap vortex QAL week 4<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kNm8yRN_drg/VYrJ8WZ5fAI/AAAAAAAAQPI/c8bG48I9g7I/s1600/scrap%2Bvortex%2B18.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kNm8yRN_drg/VYrJ8WZ5fAI/AAAAAAAAQPI/c8bG48I9g7I/s1600/scrap%2Bvortex%2B18.jpg" /></a></div>Welcome to week 4 of the scrap vortex quilt along! I didn't touch this project all week, sadly. I got&nbsp;my blocks out&nbsp;this morning&nbsp;to take some photos for today's post. I had fun playing around with what I have done&nbsp;so far and I think&nbsp;I&nbsp;might put the "to-do" list aside for an hour or two today to PLAY! The vortex quilt&nbsp;has a way of&nbsp;sucking you in! (Hahahaha!)<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1ZbYrIvDdhI/VYrJ6iIIhNI/AAAAAAAAQOw/1E5Xx6XnEvI/s1600/scrap%2Bvortex%2B15.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1ZbYrIvDdhI/VYrJ6iIIhNI/AAAAAAAAQOw/1E5Xx6XnEvI/s1600/scrap%2Bvortex%2B15.jpg" /></a></div>This week is more of the same...take two pieces of the same size and sew them together. The top piece is about 11 3/4" x 16 3/4" and the bottom piece is about 14 1/2" x 16 3/4". (The only reason I mention the size is so you can visualize the scale. Your block sizes will be different that mine, no doubt. Don't get hung up on measurements at this point!)&nbsp;Since the patchwork pieces&nbsp;are the same width, and since they look good together, I will sew them up. Once again, notice the staggered seams. This is important so you lose the grid of the patchwork in the larger piece.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OdqABLTJ5nM/VYrJ6gG2piI/AAAAAAAAQO4/I0W87lhZENo/s1600/scrap%2Bvortex%2B16.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OdqABLTJ5nM/VYrJ6gG2piI/AAAAAAAAQO4/I0W87lhZENo/s1600/scrap%2Bvortex%2B16.jpg" /></a></div>I like these two blocks together, but the one on the left is too short, so I will add a pieced strip to the top of the left block. I could add a single string to the top, but it would be too big compared to the rest of the pieces. A pieced string will look better.&nbsp;Whenever you are pairing two blocks together, you have to option of adding to the shorter block or trimming the taller block. I prefer to add pieces as much as possible, trimming only when there is 1/2" difference or less. (That's a general rule, not a hard and fast rule.)<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FjIFZ4rnUT4/VYrJ68W2CjI/AAAAAAAAQO0/Mp3B8xPuS3U/s1600/scrap%2Bvortex%2B17.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FjIFZ4rnUT4/VYrJ68W2CjI/AAAAAAAAQO0/Mp3B8xPuS3U/s1600/scrap%2Bvortex%2B17.jpg" /></a></div>Here I have several larger pieces completed. They range from 21" to 12" on each side. I would encourage you to spend&nbsp;some time&nbsp;playing with the pieces as if you were putting a puzzle together. Arrange and re-arrange until you get a few pieces that you like together, then sew them up. Fill in the gaps with patchwork as needed.&nbsp;This is such a fun and freeing way to work....at least I think so! I hope you have discovered it to be, as well!<br /><br />If you would like to look back,&nbsp;I've linked to&nbsp;the previous posts below&nbsp;for easy reference:<br /><a href="http://crazymomquilts.blogspot.com/2015/06/scrap-vortex-qal-week-one.html">scrap vortex QAL week 1</a><br /><a href="http://crazymomquilts.blogspot.com/2015/06/scrap-vortex-qal-week-2.html">scrap vortex QAL week 2</a><br /><a href="http://crazymomquilts.blogspot.com/2015/06/scrap-vortex-qal-week-3.html">scrap vortex QAL week 3</a><br /><br />If you have any questions, please let me know. I'd love to hear how your quilt is progressing! Thank you for quilting along with me! amandajeanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06311818385469850186noreply@blogger.com33tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37018101.post-74759375251275862192015-06-23T15:49:00.001-05:002015-06-29T18:23:07.051-05:00date stamp quilt<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nrqHonys8vI/VYm_jo0J9oI/AAAAAAAAQOI/HO3lMS3rqP8/s1600/you%2Binspire%2Bme%2Bto%2Bquilt.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nrqHonys8vI/VYm_jo0J9oI/AAAAAAAAQOI/HO3lMS3rqP8/s1600/you%2Binspire%2Bme%2Bto%2Bquilt.jpg" /></a></div>My friend <a href="http://www.naptimequilter.blogspot.com/">Cheryl</a> has a beautiful new book out called "<a href="http://www.amazon.com/You-Inspire-Me-Quilt-Designers/dp/1617450359/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1435087598&amp;sr=8-1&amp;keywords=you+inspire+me+to+quilt">You Inspire Me To Quilt</a>". It's a collaborative book all about using someone else's idea for a quilt design rather than your own. It's a brilliant concept and I love that it's&nbsp;so much more than a book of quilt&nbsp;patterns. It's&nbsp;also about the process of getting to that final design. (It's so true to Cheryl's approach to quilting!) I love that it tells the story behind each and every quilt! <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8yulWFiXTj0/VYm_hrfbI2I/AAAAAAAAQOA/5XWcQM1j610/s1600/date%2Bstamp%2Bquilt%2Bon%2Bclothesline.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8yulWFiXTj0/VYm_hrfbI2I/AAAAAAAAQOA/5XWcQM1j610/s1600/date%2Bstamp%2Bquilt%2Bon%2Bclothesline.jpg" /></a></div>I designed a quilt for the book called Date Stamp. This quilt, however,&nbsp;was my husband's idea.&nbsp;He NEVER has a shortage of ideas...quilt or otherwise. In fact, I may wince a little bit when&nbsp;he starts off a sentence with "you know what would be cool....." I really do love that he has so many ideas-I just&nbsp;wish I had more time! :) ANYway,&nbsp;he thought it would be neat to make a quilt that looked like a clock radio, but instead of&nbsp;the time,&nbsp;use someone's birth date. He had this idea years ago, but I never caught the vision. It's so&nbsp;hard to make a quilt based on an outside idea rather than an internal one. In fact, I find it nearly&nbsp;impossible to start a quilt unless I have the vision for it. One day, when&nbsp;we were watching the movie Groundhog Day, about the 3rd or 4th time they showed&nbsp;an alarm&nbsp;clock scene, the birth date/clock radio quilt idea <em>finally</em> clicked in my head. (Finally!) It was so cool to have&nbsp;a vision for the quilt that my husband had mentioned so many years before! Never mind that I was already working on a different quilt design for&nbsp;Cheryl's book.&nbsp;I emailed her and&nbsp;I switched gears almost immediately.<br /><br />This quilt isn't girly AT ALL, and I found that to be quite&nbsp;challenging. The colors are not my normal "go-to" colors, either. It was out of my comfort zone on so many levels. But, a few different&nbsp;times while I was working on it, my boys would come downstairs and exclaim how cool it was and that encouragement really helped!&nbsp;It definitely has some "guy" appeal, which&nbsp;was/is reassuring.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-XtkCYUT7PGY/VYnD-kTX9pI/AAAAAAAAQOg/CUNT3wO9gh8/s1600/number%2Bassembly.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-XtkCYUT7PGY/VYnD-kTX9pI/AAAAAAAAQOg/CUNT3wO9gh8/s1600/number%2Bassembly.jpg" /></a></div>The instructions for this quilt include assembly for all the numbers, so you can use any date that you wish, not just my husband's birthday. Handy, I know! Also, I feel like I should mention that this quilt is big! It finishes at&nbsp;98" x 72", but based on the numbers you choose, the size will vary.&nbsp;I love that the pattern is so&nbsp;customizable.<br /><br />The best part of this quilt story&nbsp;is&nbsp;when&nbsp;the quilt came&nbsp;back home. The physical quilt&nbsp;traveled from&nbsp;to my house to Canada, then to&nbsp;California, back to Canada and then back to my house. It was gone almost a year in all. It arrived here the day after my husband's birthday...the same day that he returned from a pretty stressful&nbsp;work trip. The timing&nbsp;was perfect!&nbsp;I used the quilt to wrap up/disguise his new Taylor guitar that I bought him for his birthday. He was quite surprised by all of it, which was delightful for me <em>and&nbsp;</em>my kids.&nbsp;I couldn't have planned it better if I had tried. I do love a happy ending!<br /><br />I have an extra copy of the book that I would love to give away. If you would like a chance to win it, please leave me a comment on this post.&nbsp;Please be sure to include your location (country is fine) because I will pick one winner from the US, who will&nbsp;win a hard copy, and one winner from outside the US, who will win a digital copy of the book. Please, only one comment per person. Thanks for reading! And happy Tuesday! :)amandajeanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06311818385469850186noreply@blogger.com369tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37018101.post-47621378073973245312015-06-19T11:27:00.002-05:002015-06-23T15:54:32.387-05:00chenille shamsWelcome to finish it up Friday!<br /><br />My dear&nbsp;friend Tara and her family have been here visiting this week and it's been wonderful! They just left this morning and it was soooo hard to see them go.&nbsp;We squeezed in a<em> little</em> sewing time during the visit, which was delightful. We definitely had to squeeze it in, since we had 5 kids running (and crawling) around. A good time was had by all! <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-T37U0TXUpzc/VYQ_v90v0oI/AAAAAAAAQNs/6gV5xMuLLvI/s1600/chenille%2Bpillow%2Bshams.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-T37U0TXUpzc/VYQ_v90v0oI/AAAAAAAAQNs/6gV5xMuLLvI/s1600/chenille%2Bpillow%2Bshams.jpg" /></a></div>Tara gave me (and more importantly taught me how to use) an invisible zipper foot for my Juki. So, a project that spent a lot of time&nbsp;on the "someday" list got finished this week. Sweet!!! I made simple pillow shams from a chenille bedspread that I got at a garage sale for a dollar. (Or maybe it was free?) I love them so much!!! They are a nice, fresh, summer look for my bed. <br /><br /><em>edited to add: the quilt on the bed is one I called window panes, which I blogged about </em><a href="http://crazymomquilts.blogspot.com/2012/07/window-panes.html"><em>here</em></a><em>. The tutorial is </em><a href="http://filminthefridge.com/2010/10/20/rectangle-squared-a-quilt-block-tutorial/"><em>here</em></a><em>, thanks to Ashley. :)</em><br /><br />Thanks for all of you who weighed in on the <a href="http://crazymomquilts.blogspot.com/2015/06/welcome-to-finish-it-up-friday-no.html">conversation last week</a> about finish it up Friday. The comments helped me! I've decided I will keep things going throughout the summer. I will keep it as FINISH it up Friday, not a work in progress party. (<a href="http://www.freshlypieced.com/">Lee</a> has a&nbsp;WIP Wednesday link up, if you would like to share your in progress photos there.) I will also not expect myself to finish something each week, because that IS just crazy! I'll <strong>try</strong> to cut myself a little slack. :)<br /><br />Now it's your turn! Please link up your finishes for the week! Thanks for joining me for finish it up Friday! <!-- start InLinkz script --> <script type="text/javascript">document.write('<scr' + 'ipt type="text/javascript" src="//www.inlinkz.com/cs.php?id=537362&' + new Date().getTime() + '"><\/script>'); </script> <!-- end InLinkz script -->amandajeanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06311818385469850186noreply@blogger.com22tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37018101.post-14821658467928603022015-06-17T08:32:00.001-05:002015-06-17T08:33:49.792-05:00scrap vortex QAL week 3 We are on week 3 of the quilt along already! I hope you are having fun with&nbsp;it! I know I am! <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8_NZ1jupXas/VYFotLFeq-I/AAAAAAAAQMc/XEnEDpc-h0g/s1600/scrap%2Bvortex%2Bweek%2B3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8_NZ1jupXas/VYFotLFeq-I/AAAAAAAAQMc/XEnEDpc-h0g/s1600/scrap%2Bvortex%2Bweek%2B3.jpg" /></a></div>This week is more of the same...sewing two pieces of patchwork that are about the same size together. See how the blocks are getting larger and larger? That's what you want. Don't worry about a specific block size at this point. I know that goes against the grain of what you may be used to, but it will all work out in the end! Trust me! <br /><br />I'll give a specific example of block construction again this week, because I think seeing it step by step is helpful. At least I hope so! <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Qcrbrc-xGu0/VYFsDC98-OI/AAAAAAAAQMo/WKJ_ZJ9xrgE/s1600/vortex%2B11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Qcrbrc-xGu0/VYFsDC98-OI/AAAAAAAAQMo/WKJ_ZJ9xrgE/s1600/vortex%2B11.jpg" /></a></div>Select&nbsp;two pieces of patchwork that look good together. See the piece on the left? It is shorter than the one on the right, so I decided to add an orange&nbsp;string to the bottom of&nbsp;the left hand side. <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-OIUcsyMHAJE/VYFsnlhZjOI/AAAAAAAAQMw/FqkX3C3yXJM/s1600/vortex%2B12.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-OIUcsyMHAJE/VYFsnlhZjOI/AAAAAAAAQMw/FqkX3C3yXJM/s1600/vortex%2B12.jpg" /></a></div>After adding and pressing the orange strip, the left side is still a little shorter. I could add another strip to the bottom to the same side, but the additional strip would be pretty skinny. <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ywTiLIJOfVo/VYFuem0wn8I/AAAAAAAAQM8/KrGMIxZGEjU/s1600/vortex%2B13.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ywTiLIJOfVo/VYFuem0wn8I/AAAAAAAAQM8/KrGMIxZGEjU/s1600/vortex%2B13.jpg" /></a></div>Instead, I sew the pieces together, but rather than aligning the top edges, I align the bottom edges. Why? Because the patchwork pieces on the top right hand side are taller and better&nbsp;for trimming in this case. If I trimmed off the bottom of the right hand piece, that cute&nbsp;little teal crosshatch fabric (on the bottom right)&nbsp;would have been just a&nbsp;sliver after trimming. Can't have that!!!&nbsp;:)&nbsp;Also, if you look along the center seam, you will notice that the seams are nicely staggered with this alignment. That's what you are after! <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NK8NGp1NdQg/VYFuggsH8CI/AAAAAAAAQNE/KmFsSl3IhNc/s1600/vortex%2B14.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NK8NGp1NdQg/VYFuggsH8CI/AAAAAAAAQNE/KmFsSl3IhNc/s1600/vortex%2B14.jpg" /></a></div>Trim up the block so it's a square or rectangle.&nbsp;I'm not super fussy about&nbsp;the sides&nbsp;being at a PRECISE 90&nbsp;degree angle, but close is good!&nbsp;Isn't it amazing how much better the block looks after it's trimmed up? That never gets old!<br /><br />There was a question last week about trimming. At this point in the block construction, I do trim the block after each addition with my rotary cutter and ruler. I try to keep the pieces relatively square or rectangular,&nbsp;because&nbsp;it makes the&nbsp;fitting the larger pieces together so much easier.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zynWqWkl1Lg/VYF0ARrFJyI/AAAAAAAAQNU/gE12M_7hVgs/s1600/fresh%2Bscraps.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zynWqWkl1Lg/VYF0ARrFJyI/AAAAAAAAQNU/gE12M_7hVgs/s1600/fresh%2Bscraps.jpg" /></a></div>This week I felt like I was lacking variety (or getting sick of my scraps), so I scrounged (hahaha!) in my craft room to find some new things to add to the scrap basket. I had a bunch of bags of scraps&nbsp;that I had separated out for "someday" projects,&nbsp;(Heather Ross, Echino, Kaffe Fasset, some Anna Maria Horner and even a few of my own new fabrics) but liberating the scraps and adding them to my others will breath new life into the quilt. Plus, I have&nbsp;3-5 fewer bags floating around the craft room. So, it's a&nbsp;win-WIN! <br /><br />You may find that you have <a href="http://crazymomquilts.blogspot.com/2015/06/scrap-vortex-qal-week-one.html">to go back to square one</a> and start making new pairs for your quilt. I know I will need to! <br /><br />That's all I have for today. I hope you have FUN sewing! Let me know if you have any questions!amandajeanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06311818385469850186noreply@blogger.com36tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37018101.post-51112755615661278112015-06-15T15:41:00.000-05:002015-06-15T15:41:07.056-05:00Liberty Giveaway winnerThe winner of the Liberty fat eighth bundle is <a href="https://www.blogger.com/profile/15030562755244511630">Lorinda</a>!&nbsp;Thanks to all of you who played along! It was fun to read your comments. :) <br /><br />Happy Monday to you! amandajeanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06311818385469850186noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37018101.post-57185408835683939072015-06-12T07:17:00.001-05:002015-06-12T07:17:59.379-05:00finish it up Friday, 6/12/15Welcome to finish it up Friday!<br /><br />No finish for me today. Not even a pin cushion! But I'm slowly plugging away on my hand quilting. I'm getting so close to finishing the stars, then just borders and binding. This will be one happy finish when I get there!<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-yLryqmmp_r8/VXdik3WlwCI/AAAAAAAAQLg/C6EQxSdWiAo/s1600/oh%2Bmy%2Bstars%2Bin%2B3%2Bseason%2Bporch.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-yLryqmmp_r8/VXdik3WlwCI/AAAAAAAAQLg/C6EQxSdWiAo/s1600/oh%2Bmy%2Bstars%2Bin%2B3%2Bseason%2Bporch.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I've been teaching at the MN quilt show in Duluth this week and it has been so lovely! The views are gorgeous, the weather has been idyllic and my students have been delightful! I have photos I wanted to share, but due to technical difficulties (ugh) I can't load the photos like I had hoped. (Oh, well!)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Summer is in full swing! I've been trying to figure out what to do with finish it up Friday. I certainly can't post a finish every week (even though I try my hardest!) and I feel weird posting a non-finish on Friday. There is a good chance I just need to get over my issues (ha!) and keep on going. Or we could break for the summer and start back up in the fall. Any thoughts? I'd love to hear what you think!&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Well, it's your turn! Please link up your finishes. Thanks for joining me for finish it up Friday!&nbsp;</div><!-- start InLinkz script --> <script type="text/javascript">document.write('<scr' + 'ipt type="text/javascript" src="//www.inlinkz.com/cs.php?id=535250&' + new Date().getTime() + '"><\/script>'); </script> <!-- end InLinkz script -->amandajeanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06311818385469850186noreply@blogger.com69tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37018101.post-43531007297280514372015-06-10T09:00:00.000-05:002015-06-10T09:00:01.032-05:00scrap vortex QAL, week 2Welcome to week 2 of the scrap vortex QAL! I'm very happy that so many of you are quilting along with me! Today I will be showing the directions for this week, and at the bottom of the post, I have a Q &amp; A to address a few comments from last week. There is a lot of info in this post! (Please take the time to read it! :) )<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IK3A1dRtFuE/VXdNmmwzT9I/AAAAAAAAQJs/2NVsBSvLI_M/s1600/scrap%2Bvortex%2Bpieces%2B2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IK3A1dRtFuE/VXdNmmwzT9I/AAAAAAAAQJs/2NVsBSvLI_M/s1600/scrap%2Bvortex%2Bpieces%2B2.jpg" /></a></div>This week's assignment is very similar to last week, except this time you just&nbsp;sew pairs of pairs&nbsp;together. Sew some pairs side by side, sew some pairs end to end. You can sew 3 little pieces in a row, then add a string to one side....any way works. Make some of each!<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-X_b77lbcTgk/VXdO_U4ihDI/AAAAAAAAQKg/YZOX30Hy2DA/s1600/pairing%2Bscraps%2B1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-X_b77lbcTgk/VXdO_U4ihDI/AAAAAAAAQKg/YZOX30Hy2DA/s1600/pairing%2Bscraps%2B1.jpg" /></a></div>Let me walk you through a few examples. I chose to pair these two pieces together because they&nbsp;are about the same length. I could sew them together as is, but the red is right next to the dark blue and green. That would work, but....<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-A5J5eVsvs2k/VXdO_SEdB5I/AAAAAAAAQKc/ufLErs0SEn0/s1600/pairing%2Bscraps%2B2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-A5J5eVsvs2k/VXdO_SEdB5I/AAAAAAAAQKc/ufLErs0SEn0/s1600/pairing%2Bscraps%2B2.jpg" /></a></div>flipping the piece on the right places the yellow next to the dark blue green. It looks much better the second way, so I sew it up! Now, don't overthink each step. If you do, this quilt will drive you crazy, because there are about a million decisions in a scrap vortex quilt.&nbsp;BUT, auditioning your&nbsp;options is a good thing! It's a fine line some days. Ha!<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HvLTq8uVZqQ/VXdPCmScLZI/AAAAAAAAQKw/kc4pL8ewTxY/s1600/pairing%2Bscraps%2B3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HvLTq8uVZqQ/VXdPCmScLZI/AAAAAAAAQKw/kc4pL8ewTxY/s1600/pairing%2Bscraps%2B3.jpg" /></a></div>At this point, I will trim the top and bottom edges just a sliver, because the piece is getting a little bit unruly. That's it! Make several pairs of pairs. Or make sections of 5, 6, 7 or 8. (You will need hundreds of blocks!) <br /><br />Here are&nbsp;just a few photos to show different scrap configurations...<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-csvTqVCb7hc/VXdNrnLKZ0I/AAAAAAAAQJ8/ZfZUl9DYkqY/s1600/vortex%2Bsample%2Bblock%2B1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-csvTqVCb7hc/VXdNrnLKZ0I/AAAAAAAAQJ8/ZfZUl9DYkqY/s1600/vortex%2Bsample%2Bblock%2B1.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-UAix6v2IKNo/VXdNs83aPGI/AAAAAAAAQKE/L1AbwCNYzNA/s1600/vortex%2Bsample%2Bblock%2B2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-UAix6v2IKNo/VXdNs83aPGI/AAAAAAAAQKE/L1AbwCNYzNA/s1600/vortex%2Bsample%2Bblock%2B2.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-LSadjJWQDv4/VXdN2_um1JI/AAAAAAAAQKU/xUxxQRTE0ag/s1600/vortex%2Bsample%2Bblock%2B3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-LSadjJWQDv4/VXdN2_um1JI/AAAAAAAAQKU/xUxxQRTE0ag/s1600/vortex%2Bsample%2Bblock%2B3.jpg" /></a></div>Here is an example of&nbsp;building with&nbsp;slightly larger blocks. When I was pairing&nbsp;smaller blocks&nbsp;up,&nbsp;I noticed that these&nbsp;two blocks were sitting next to each other. They were in progress from a&nbsp;previous sewing session.&nbsp;They are roughly the same length and the colors work well together, so I sewed them together. <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-eAwRINk3X4c/VXdPCa75RoI/AAAAAAAAQKs/5OEr3lUK0HY/s1600/pairing%2Bscraps%2B4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-eAwRINk3X4c/VXdPCa75RoI/AAAAAAAAQKs/5OEr3lUK0HY/s1600/pairing%2Bscraps%2B4.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Notice how the seams don't line up in the middle? That is actually preferred, believe it or not. The offset/staggered seams add visual interest to the block and it helps&nbsp;blur the lines in each individual block that you are building. That's what you want! Random is good! :)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-G9nT3KLLbzY/VXdPEMot4FI/AAAAAAAAQK8/xJsiZnL269Q/s1600/pairing%2Bscraps%2B5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-G9nT3KLLbzY/VXdPEMot4FI/AAAAAAAAQK8/xJsiZnL269Q/s1600/pairing%2Bscraps%2B5.jpg" /></a></div>The edges of this block are pretty tidy, so I won't trim&nbsp;this block&nbsp;at this point. I'll just add it to the temporarily done pile. <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-nrSjsiNGccM/VXdNqUncqwI/AAAAAAAAQJ0/v6nDenyU82M/s1600/scrap%2Bvortex%2Bsecond%2Bstep%2Bmosaic.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-nrSjsiNGccM/VXdNqUncqwI/AAAAAAAAQJ0/v6nDenyU82M/s1600/scrap%2Bvortex%2Bsecond%2Bstep%2Bmosaic.jpg" /></a></div>Here is what I accomplished this week. Not&nbsp;a ton, but it is progress!&nbsp;It is kind of slow going at the beginning, but once you start adding blocks together, you will gain momentum! I like to place my blocks on the design wall as&nbsp;I complete them. It's encouraging to see progress!<br /><br />Now, to answer some questions...<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8ZCJGLliMcs/VXdNx9aPFqI/AAAAAAAAQKI/kYD7MqcFMZg/s1600/scrap%2Bvortex%2Bpieces%2B1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8ZCJGLliMcs/VXdNx9aPFqI/AAAAAAAAQKI/kYD7MqcFMZg/s1600/scrap%2Bvortex%2Bpieces%2B1.jpg" /></a></div>Q: My scraps don't all "go together", so how much should I edit?<br /><br />A: My advice to you would be to edit based on the tone of the&nbsp;fabric more than anything else. If you have a lot of scraps that are in&nbsp;more traditional&nbsp;colors&nbsp;vs. the candy colors (what I tend to use) I would separate them into two&nbsp;different categories.&nbsp;Also, don't take out all the darks out of the equation&nbsp;(that would be my tendency),&nbsp;because the quilt needs the variety of values. The darks add interest to the quilt. At the end of the day, YOU need to decide what your comfort level is in editing your scraps...after all, it's your quilt!<br /><br />Q: Will there be a linky party for the quilt along? <br /><br />A: I don't think so, but if you want to share your progress, you can use the hashtag #scrapvortexqal, if you are on Instagram. <br /><br />Q: How big is&nbsp;the largest scrap in your quilt?<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-OFYZTEwUBzY/VXdcoKds91I/AAAAAAAAQLQ/uUihLvcl51M/s1600/scrap%2Bdetail.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-OFYZTEwUBzY/VXdcoKds91I/AAAAAAAAQLQ/uUihLvcl51M/s1600/scrap%2Bdetail.jpg" /></a></div>A: I had to go check, but I found one (the green strip shown above) that&nbsp;is about 2 1/8" x 7 1/4 long. That's pretty big for me, but you can use any sized scraps you want!<br /><br />Q: How do I sign up for the QAL?<br /><br />A: This quilt along is very informal. In order to join, all you need to do is leave a comment (or not) and sew right along with me following the directions that I post. Easy and fun!&nbsp;If you have a blog, post about your progress! Or use the #scrapvortexqal hashtag on Instagram. <br /><br />Q: How long will this QAL run? <br /><br />A: Probably through the month of June, maybe into early July. We will see how things go!<br /><br /><br />Ok, that's all I have for this week. If you are quilting along, please let me know how your quilt is progressing! If you have any questions, I'll try to answer them in the comments (or in the next post). <br />amandajeanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06311818385469850186noreply@blogger.com50tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37018101.post-70014755600729692162015-06-08T16:09:00.001-05:002015-06-15T15:41:47.511-05:00Liberty Giveaway 2It's Monday! Doesn't it seem like a good day for a giveaway? How about a Liberty giveaway? That's even better!<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-uSro-DFX91g/VXX9L0IbSYI/AAAAAAAAQJY/YccUJUN5ndU/s1600/LibertyGiveaway%2B2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="398" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-uSro-DFX91g/VXX9L0IbSYI/AAAAAAAAQJY/YccUJUN5ndU/s400/LibertyGiveaway%2B2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>My lovely friend, <a href="http://www.thimbleanna.com/">Anna</a>, who carries <a href="http://thimblea.ipower.com/store/page3.html">Liberty in her on-line shop</a>, is giving away one bundle of Liberty Tana Lawn fat eighths to one of&nbsp;my readers. This is a 10 piece bundle, each piece&nbsp;measures 9" x 13".&nbsp;If you would like your name thrown into the hat, please leave me a comment in this post. In your comment, I would love to hear what your favorite kind of pop/soda is. (I had my 12 year old son come up with the question this time. Can you tell? :) ) If you had&nbsp;any idea of what you would sew with this&nbsp;fine fabric if you win, I'd love to&nbsp;hear about&nbsp;that as well.<br /><br />Please, only one comment per person! The giveaway is open to US and international readers! <br /><br />Happy Monday to you!amandajeanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06311818385469850186noreply@blogger.com932tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37018101.post-31463341090775363252015-06-05T10:37:00.000-05:002015-06-05T11:48:42.270-05:00bright baggy pouchWelcome to finish it up Friday!<br /><br />I was hoping to have a quilt finished today, but that certainly didn't happen! So, this morning I finished up a little baggy pouch that I had in progress. Once again, I am thankful for the accountability that this linky party brings. I certainly needed the push to finish something.&nbsp;Also, there is one less pile on my craft room floor. YAY!<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-j0z0spzQ_sc/VXG5d6te9aI/AAAAAAAAQIw/GO4fbt7fLjw/s1600/baggy%2Bpouch%2B3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-j0z0spzQ_sc/VXG5d6te9aI/AAAAAAAAQIw/GO4fbt7fLjw/s1600/baggy%2Bpouch%2B3.jpg" /></a></div>This is a small sized <a href="https://payhip.com/b/9Uo0">baggy pouch</a>, which is a pattern by <a href="http://comfortstitching.typepad.co.uk/">Aneela Hooey</a>. It's my third one from the pattern, and probably not the last! I used a mini charm pack and scraps for the patchwork. <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Tf07Cx2IVBM/VXG-NZ_uMNI/AAAAAAAAQJE/omE4tRijuBo/s1600/baggy%2Bpouch%2B3%2Binside.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Tf07Cx2IVBM/VXG-NZ_uMNI/AAAAAAAAQJE/omE4tRijuBo/s1600/baggy%2Bpouch%2B3%2Binside.jpg" /></a></div>The inside is polka dots, of course! I added&nbsp;tabs to the end of my&nbsp;zipper&nbsp;to make things a bit tidier.&nbsp;My oldest son made a smart aleck comment about me branching out by making a zipper pouch. It made me laugh. And hey, I <em>did </em>branch out from my streak of pin cushion finishes...but I'll get back to those shortly!&nbsp;:) <br /><br />One other big finish for the week. School has ended and summer vacation has begun. You can probably <em>imagine</em> all the fun we are having around here. Ha! I'm sure we will find our groove eventually...<br /><br />Now, it's your turn! Please link up your finishes for the week. Thank you for joining me for finish it up Friday! <!-- start InLinkz script --> <script type="text/javascript">document.write('<scr' + 'ipt type="text/javascript" src="//www.inlinkz.com/cs.php?id=533282&' + new Date().getTime() + '"><\/script>'); </script> <!-- end InLinkz script -->amandajeanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06311818385469850186noreply@blogger.com22